Lakers: Maxi Kleber out due to injury, misses NBA season start

Lakers Start the Season with Important Absences

The Lakers will be affected at the start of their season due to the absence of Maxi Kleber, who is suffering from an oblique injury and will be reevaluated in approximately two weeks, according to the team’s announcement this Tuesday. This situation represents a challenge for the team’s depth in the offensive zone. Kleber, acquired from the Mavericks in February as part of the trade involving Luka Doncic, has faced various injuries since his arrival at the Lakers.

Kleber was recovering from foot surgery when he was traded to the Lakers. During the regular season, he was unable to participate and only played five minutes in the fifth game of the first-round series against the Timberwolves. In addition, he suffered a quadriceps injury at the beginning of training camp, which prevented him from playing in almost all preseason games. In the only game he played against the Kings, he accumulated three points, two rebounds, two turnovers, and four fouls in ten minutes.

“I was very frustrated,” Kleber commented, referring to his quadriceps injury. “I worked hard for something like this to happen. But you can’t always control everything. The only thing I can do is try hard and give my best. The same goes for rehabilitation and getting ready for the matches.”

Maxi Kleber

The player, with nine years of experience in the league, averages 6.4 points and 4.4 rebounds per game, with a 35.4% effectiveness in three-point shots. For the opening game against the Warriors, the Lakers will have Deandre Ayton as the starting center and Jaxson Hayes as the main substitute. Hayes, although he suffered a wrist contusion during the last preseason game against the Kings, will be available. Additionally, LeBron James (sciatica) and rookie Adou Thiero (recovering from left knee surgery) will also be unable to participate in the game against the Warriors. James, who will miss the opening game for the first time in his 23-year career, will be re-evaluated in approximately 1-2 weeks.